Video: San Rafael police release footage of bank robbery

Hoping for leads in San Rafael's latest bank robbery, police released a video Sunday that shows the crime in progress.

The robbery occurred at about 1:35 p.m. Friday at the Westamerica Bank at 1 Mitchell Blvd. in north San Rafael. The robber demanded money from a teller and ran off with the money, and witnesses were unable to confirm whether he had a weapon, police said.

The robber eluded a police search in the neighborhood. Witnesses did not see a getaway car.

The losses were not disclosed.

The man was described as white, in his late 20s or early 30s and about 5-foot-8 with a thin build, police said. He was wearing a black or dark gray beanie, black sunglasses, a dark gray hooded sweatshirt and dark blue jeans.

Police said the robber was dressed similarly to the man who struck Jan. 4 at the Westamerica branch at 1177 Francisco Blvd., but the link has not been confirmed. Investigators said that the Francisco Boulevard bandit could be the same man who hit the Westamerica branch on Jan. 10 at 300 Ignacio Blvd. in Novato.

Anyone with information about the robber can call San Rafael police at 485-3000. Tipsters can also call the multilingual Bay Area Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-222-8477, where they can leave information anonymously and possibly be eligible for a cash reward.

The incident was the seventh time since Dec. 12 that robbers have struck a Marin County bank, although three or more robbers appear to be involved in the series. In addition, a gunman tried to rob a San Rafael check-cashing business on Jan. 19, firing a shot at several employees before fleeing empty-handed.

Of the seven bank robberies since last month, police have arrested one suspect. Jeremiah Clyde Martin, 37, of San Francisco is charged in connection with the Dec. 20 robbery the Citibank branch in downtown San Rafael.